Page 49 of Forbidden

“Where is he?”

“Out of the city. He’s busy,” Aman replies. “I am not saying we want to control your movements, but please next time you want to go anywhere, use Aarav’s car. His driver can take you wherever you wish to and if possible, leave a message to any of us.”

I just nod. What is Aman’s fault at this? He is conveying what Aarav has asked him to convey to me.

“Done with your gyan?” Jaya teases him.

“Miss Parekh, you better watch your words and attitude. I am tolerating you only because you are my friend’s partner’s friend.”

“Ditto.” She mocks again. “I don’t have any other reasons to tolerate you either.”

“Guys,” I intervene. “Can you stop it? Why do you always fight?”

“I am not the one who initiates it.”

“You never end it either, do you?” Jaya scoffs.

“Okay enough. I don’t know what problem you two have, but I suggest this is becoming repetitive now. Can we all stay here together without arguments?”

Jaya shrugs, whereas Aman nods in agreement.

“Good. Thank you.”

I am about to leave for my room when Aman stops me again.

“Jhanvi, one minute.”

I pause my steps.

“I know the way your marriage happened you have a lot of issues with Aarav and everyone related to him. But I assure you one thing. Aarav is not that bad. He does have temper issues which I agree with, but he is a good man.”

I don’t want to believe anything he’s saying, but I don’t walk away. I listen because I am a good listener.

“He’s seen a lot, had to bear things all alone, and that’s why he’s all rough from the exterior. But he has a soft heart. All he wants is a family, and he sees that in you. I hope you really meant to make this marriage work.”

I don’t reply but just give him a weak smile and head back to my room. It’s crazy to hear someone say good things about Aarav because so far, I am always listening to his bad side and how cruel he is. But I am a woman who never judges a person based on others’ opinions. So, until I really feel Aarav is different and a good man, my notions about him will never change.

********************

The day ends and new begins. I have the perfect opportunity to attach the device to Aarav’s study, but both my hands and feet tremble at the thought. I have never done this before and I’ll never support such nasty ways to bring your competitor’s business down. I’ll deny Mohit and ask him to find some other way. Footsteps from outside the door alert me and keeping the device back in the purse, I occupy the chair and continue doing my work. A minute more and the door of the study opens wide and Aarav Raichand barges in. In a grey suit, with his tie loosened and two buttons of his collar undone, he looks quite in a messy mood. I don’t bother though unless he is here to bother me.

“You were with Mohit yesterday?”

His tone seems cold yet angry at the same time.

“What?”

“You heard what I asked, Jhanvi.” His grumbled voice warms my face with an unknown tension. I’m aware Aarav doesn’t like me meeting Mohit anymore, but I still haven’t given him the right to choose the people I want to be with. But how did he know I was with Mohit? I didn’t even tell this to Aman?

“Yes, I heard, and you are spying on me that I completely hate you doing. Remember?”

Three strides and he is in the room with the door locked on its own. Goosebumps erupt on my skin as I watch him stare at me as if he’s controlling every ounce of his anger.

“I told you not to meet them, didn’t I?”

“And I told you they are my family.”

The moment I reply, Aarav smashes his hand over the table between us, pushing everything over it to the floor. The pens fling, the files and papers scatter, and the vase breaks into pieces. If he thinks by doing all this, he will have power over me, he is wrong. I get up from the chair and clap.

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